Schools are meant to instill knowledge, maturity and growth in students. Should lunchtime be any less of a learning experience? There are life skills to be developed as well as reading, writing and arithmetic. Children should be taught from a young age that food is fuel for the body and brain. Eating nutritious foods will not only help them live healthier lives, but it will improve school performance, as well.
Introduced by Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, the Healthy School Meals Act would place more fruits, vegetables and plant-based meals in cafeterias around the country. Many celebrities have spoken out in support of the bill as part of a campaign by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi are the latest to speak out by sending a written letter to congress, urging the backing of this legislation. They explain that, “Obesity, diabetes and other diet-related health problems are showing up in children at disturbingly high rates. One out of five teenagers already has abnormal cholesterol levels. Fighting this epidemic is one of the most urgent challenges we face — and healthy school lunches could play a vital role.”
The famous vegan couple largely supports the addition of a pilot program introducing more high-fiber and vegetarian protein selections in school meals, as well as non-dairy milk options.
Both DeGeneres and de Rossi choose to eat an animal-free diet and radiate what good the lifestyle can do. ”Two years ago, we switched to a plant-based diet out of concern for animals and the environment,” DeGeneres wrote in the letter. “Many children stop eating meat for the same reasons. Adding vegetarian options in schools would not only benefit these children — it would provide healthier options for all young people.”
To help Scarlett Johansson, Tobey Maguire, Woody Harrelson, Melissa Rivers, Kelly Rutherford, Molly Sims, Bethenny Frankel, basketball champion John Salley, Olympic athletes and DeGeneres and de Rossi advocate for the Healthy School Meals Act, contact congress today.
Photo by Project M·A·R·C via Flickr.